Internet addiction, loneliness, and academic burnout among Chinese college students: a mediation model

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1176596
• Publication Date: 2023-08-18T01:52:50Z
• Authors: Junwang Gu; Ping Wu; Yating Luo; Xiongkun He; Lei Fu; Hanjie Liu; Fen Lin; Qi Xu; Xuanhui Wu
• Keywords: Psychiatry; Internet addiction; 4. Education; loneliness; RC435-571; academic burnout; structural equation modeling; 3. Good health; mediation model

Background The dynamics of education and student life have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our society, especially system, has become largely dependent on Internet. This paradigm shifts took place in last few decades. As such, there are various ways which we cannot comprehend impact that Internet can psychology, how multiple other factors could influence that. addiction its relationship with academic burnout, along loneliness, all essential must be discussed candidly post-COVID-19 era. Hence, objective this study was, therefore, to explore between addiction, burnout among Chinese college students as well mediating role loneliness. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey at university from October November 2022. In total, 810 valid respondents were selected via random cluster sampling using well-established Addiction, Loneliness, Academic Burnout Scale. primary approach mediation analysis structural equation modeling testing examined relationships three components. Results responsible for students. Loneliness partially mediates burnout. mediated way, different types loneliness contribute Conclusion Psychological interventions emotional prevention, critical aspects problem accompanied causal possibly two-way nature, needs further explored next future.